CDA removes golden hands sculpture in Islamabad after online backlash

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Monday removed a recently installed ‘Golden Hands’ sculpture located along Margalla Avenue in Islamabad.

The artwork featured two large golden hands holding two balls like objects resembling a world map. Installed by a private developer, the sculpture quickly gained widespread attention on social media, sparking debate, memes, and a wave of speculation over its symbolism.

Soon after its installation, the monument became the subject of intense online discussion. Social media users assigned various meanings to the structure with many interpreting it as a symbol of Pakistan’s rising global presence while others saw it as an ambitious but misplaced artistic expression.

Amid the growing online buzz, CDA officials reportedly sprang into action. Initially, the sculpture was covered with cloth in an apparent attempt to minimize public reaction. Later, the structure was dismantled and removed using heavy machinery and labour teams. The CDA has not yet released an official statement explaining the reasons for the removal.

Earlier, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in a raid in a scam call centre in the federal capital arrested five foreign nationals among over 65 people.

The law enforcement agency also seized record of the illegal activities at the scam call centre, officials said.

Officials said that five foreigners and more than 60 Pakistani boys and girls running operations of the scam centre were arrested during the raid in Islamabad’s G-10 Sector.

A spokesperson of the agency said that further legal action would be taken against those who provided facilities and security to these persons.

Earlier this month, police arrested 149 people — including 71 foreigners, mostly Chinese — in a raid on a scam call centre in Faisalabad, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency said last Thursday.